By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It's a wonder Becky Bowser ever gets anything done.
Between playing flute in varsity band, working part-time in a law office, editing the school yearbook, volunteering her time as a girl scout, and maintaining a 4.0 grade point average as a senior at Niles High School, it's surprising she even has time to sleep.
The 17-year-old daughter of Jim and Sue Bowser does find time to do other things in between her hectic schedules - she watches television.
Becky is a self-professed huge fan of the show "Friends." She owns the first seven seasons on DVD and even threw a party for the show's series finally.
So what does this "Friends" loving, flute-playing, yearbook editing girl scout want to do after she graduates from NHS?
Becky has been in the high school's graphic arts program since her freshman year, so this fall, she's heading north to Marquette to study graphic arts at Northern Michigan University.
But it takes more than pretty scenery to attract Becky to a university. Northern's graphic arts program is exactly what Becky was looking for when applying to colleges, Beck said.
Although Becky doesn't mind working on graphic layouts, she admits her main passion is digital imaging. Northern's program focuses entirely on digital imaging, which is one of the main reasons Becky chose the school, she said.
So why graphic arts as a career?
Lew Carrington, Becky's graphic arts teacher at the high school, thinks Becky has the skills to succeed in her chosen field.
learns quickly, but has the abilities to apply knowledge immediately."
Becky was quick to sing the praises of her mentor as well.
Becky also puts her graphic arts talents to use as she works towards her Gold Award in girl scouts. Becky has been with the scouts since second grade and the Gold Award is the highest distinction a girl scout can attain.
Becky will be volunteering at Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center as part of the center's "Big Bugs" program. Becky said she'll be designing an activity booklet for children who visit the center.
But does Becky get any grief from fellow students for being a girl scout in her senior year of high school?
So if her plan is to become a graphic artist, why does Beck work at a law office?
Becky works at the office of Peter M. Karlowicz, Attorney at Law, 101 South Broadway, Cassopolis, as part of the high school's co-operative school-to-work program. Becky receives school credit while getting real world work experience.
When she isn't answering phones or filing folders and helping out the secretaries in the office, Becky does one crucial task for the office.
Not surprisingly, Becky's favorite class is English. She loves to read and considers herself a pretty good writer, although she admits she probably doesn't get the best grades in class.
Becky's love affair with English class began her sophomore year when she took class from the now-retired Carol Thompson.
Becky credits Thompson with bringing out her confidence to write. "She's the one who made me believe my writing was good," Becky said.